Lower Hands at Address
 

For the past eight months or so I have been practicing with a standard setup where my right forearm is in line with the shaft at address, and in my backswng, I try to trace the plane line with the shaft. In contrast, however, I see so many professionals who have their hands much lower at address, creating more of an angle between the shaft and the right forearm (elbow plane setup?). Questions: Is there any advantage to having lower hands at address? Does tracing the plane line when your right forearm is not in line with the shaft at setup differ at all from tracing it when your right forearm is aligned with the shaft at address? I anticipate that, if one starts with lower hands, one has to make a plane shift up to the turned shoulder plane. Will that make any difference in how I visualize tracing the plane line?

Hands Plane
 

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There are some that start on the Hands Plane 10-6-E. From there, except for possible little pitch shots, they will shift up to one of the steeper planes.

You are correct that many, most, of the tour players do not set up with the right forearm on plane, even those with higher hands at Address. Mr. Haney actually believes that to do so(set up with the right forearm on plane) is a poor position from which to start. Thus, you see players like Tiger Woods that do not set up this way.

Most of the pure TGMers do set up with the Right Forearm on Plane at Address. Many of the MORAD or STACK AND TILTERS, do not set up with the Right Forearm on Plane. You can make good backswings either way, depending upon what you are trying to do.

I know Mr. Skywalker, who often visits this forum, knows much about this knid of thing. Maybe he, or another will chime in.

Sweet Swinga, or Heavy Hitta?
 

A lot depends on whether you are hitting or swinging. Hitters need the structure that the geometry of the on plane right forearm provides. Swingers benefit from the mid body hands address position with the start up swivel etc. I have found keep the RFA on plane at address to be a worthwhile reference. The rub is to have the courage to do what most of the players we love to watch do not do themselves! My best compression is achieved with a structurally supported shaft. In my experience it is "easier to stay on a turned shoulder plane with the higher hands that an impact fix address establishes...fewer shifts = fewer variables = greater consistency. Unfortunately, many players (including pros I would suspect) could not tell you how many shifts they employ and the various planes they visit! It ALL works! Hope that is a help.